Warhost of Vastmark

This is the third installment of a broad epic involving the plight of two half-brothers, Arithon and Lysaer, princes by birth, who are twisted by curse to fight each other. The prior two books were a little ponderous, the first in particular due to its 700-800 page length. While this one weighed in at 520 pages, the pages seemed to fly. Perhaps this is in part due to the fact that Wurts has already explained their pasts and can focus purely on the plot at hand. This book brings Lysaer, twisted by the curse of the mistwraith in to false belief that his is a just cause, to summon an army of three kingdoms, 40,000 strong, to defeat his half-brother, Arithon. While that is the main focus of the book (and the final scenes when the armies draw close is truly gripping), in the background plays the development of friendship, trust and understanding between Arithon and Dakar The Mad Prophet. At times, Dakar's emnity of Arithon has almost cost the prince his life, so it's both intriguing and brilliant to watch the erosion of this hatred transform into tepid acceptance to, ultimately, a freely given friendship. Seeded further still in the background is the laced danger posed by the entities which comprised of the Mistwraith, residing on another world and seeking access to Athera, the world on which these novels take place. It will be interesting to see how Wurts evolves this threat in future installments. This is the best so far of the three books, and I thoroughly recommend it (although I'd advise reading the first two, as it would make more sense).

I really can see how this book is the second half of "Ships of Merior"--it flows perfectly and sets up the stage for what will hopefully be a terrific final showdown in the next few books. I came to understand a little bit more about both prince's characters, although I still believe that Arithon is the hero and Lysaer is an over-zealous prig. But that's just me. Read this one RIGHT after "ships".

And I thought "Wheel of Time" was good! This book obviously isn't complete in itself, and you need to have read Ships of Merior to really understand it. However, unlike with many hefty epics, I actually felt the emotions of the characters instead of just yawning and waiting for the story to get interesting. The characters are endearing and it breaks my heart that Arithon and Elaira can't be together! (I'm a hopeless romantic). I can't wait to read the next novel!

This book begins with action at the very start. The Fellowship find themselves underpowered, but still have to meet the initial onslaught of an investigation by the same source that invaded all those years prior - another faction of the mistwraith.But this is just a side battle in the preparation for something much grander as Arithon finds he cannot run from his half-brother forever.This book ends a series of wars between the Light (Lysaer) and Shadow (Arithon), but the story continues. At this point the plots are still thick and alliances are constantly changing as truth and knowledge become available to those participating on the various sides.Janny does not come out and say that this side is good and this side is evil. Instead, she paints a picture defining the characteristics of all involved and leaves that up to you.The depth of this book continues with the others, but is not as able to stand alone as the others, simply because it was originally to be part of Ships of Merior. When that book became too large, Warhost of Vastmark took a life of its own. This is not to say it is wanting because it continues in the grand tradition that Janny set forth in her previous books in this series.

The tale of the two half-brothers continues in volume 2A of The Wars of Light and Shadow. A carefully balanced alliance has been shattered by actions not in the control of either brother. Actions that not even the Fellowship of Seven are able to counter. Move and counter move proceed across the continent of Paravia as Lysaer moves town Mayors and armies in his never ending desire to see the destruction of Arithon. Arithon flees back to the ships that served himself so well as a pirate on his home world of Dascen Elur. But Lysaer pursues him closely. Into this mix comes a character from CURSE OF THE MISTWRAITH, Dakar the Mad Prophet, he of the West Gate prophecy. Devoted to his cups and wenching. Desiring nothing so much as to be left to his own devices he is entwined into the fate of the two brothers. Ms. Wurts weaves a deft tale that reveals incredible depths in these characters. You care so much about each of these that it is hard to take sides. But take sides you will. Lesser characters shine in the roles of friends, lovers or opponents. Stroke and counter stroke are described with a delicate nicety that leaves you wanting more. Events of such striking compassion occur that you will be forced to lay the book aside, but not for long, and contemplate the results.